Disclaimer: I do not own Valdemar or Bruce Springsteen's song, "The River," much to my dismay, as I am not Mercedes Lackey or Bruce Springsteen.
A/N: My first song fic ever! A random one shot which popped into my head while I was listening to, yes, The River. Doesn't actually have that much to do with Valdemar, other than the fact that it takes place partly in Haven and the main character wants to be an artificer. Short, one-shot. Please read and review, hope you like it!
The River
The sun beat down upon the small, suburban town in Valdemar. Rays of light illuminated the houses and yards of the small village. The adults worked hard, merchants, craftsman, and farmers, as the riotous children of the town played and ran around, disrupting the quiet aura of the village.
The beams of sunlight reflected off of a sweeping, broad river. The stream ran down through the side of the town, the surface reflecting an overgrowth of trees, leaves floating and drifting away with the strong current, the river marking the end of the suburban village.
In a deep part of the woods, past felled logs and dry branches, climbing ivy and drooping berry bushes, two lovers kissed, their black and blonde hair entwining in the passionate embrace. Carlen and his girl dove into the riotous current, strands of seaweed floating around them, their bodies becoming wet and slippery, as droplets of water dripped gently off his face, sand sweeping harmlessly away from him by the forward-moving current.
We'd go down to the river
And into the river we'd dive
Oh, down to the river
We'd ride
The grass gently folded under his feet, green sap staining Carlen's toes a light emerald. He had no worries, no work, only dreams, as he thought hopefully of what his life would become in only a season, as he would leave his small village for Haven, to go to the Collegium.
I have… finally…gained admittance to the Collegium! I can't wait for the fall to arrive, I will go to Haven and learn how to be an Artificer, accomplishing my lifelong hope. I will learn how to build great bridges over these rushing rivers, steam engines and highways!
His family was already wishing him goodbye, farewell parties and celebrations lining the stream, beer and good food shared with the village. One morning, however, Carlen's life came to a sudden turn and his dreams came to an abrupt stop.
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"I'm pregnant."
"I'm pregnant," the girl repeated, meeting his eyes and staring him down. Carlen looked away.
Carlen's family and the girl's family convened. As was common in the suburban villages of Valdemar, the families reached a decision- a decision of marriage.
We went down to the courthouse
And the judge put it all to rest.
No wedding day smiles, no walk down the aisles,
No flowers, no wedding dress.
For their wedding night, the newly-weds went down to the familiar stream. The current seemed more sluggish, the water colder, the mood more somber, the overhanging trees casting darkness upon the river. The shadow of his life, how to support a family, hung over Carlen, his old dreams disposed of, washing away with the current, downstream, lost to Carlen forever.
That night we went down to the river,
And into the river we'd dive
Oh, down to the river we'd ride.
Carlen needed a job to earn a living, and support the child which would be born soon. The two moved to Haven, where the couple lived in a dirty, old apartment hugging the town walls. The squalling baby was born. Carlen began a small market stall, in an abandoned corner of Haven, to support his new family, borrowing money and taking debt to do so. The stall was unprofitable, and the family's small supply of money seeped away, as Carlen worked constantly at a dilapidated old stall, his old dreams forgotten, goals slipping away and drying up.
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A/N: I'm finished. Short, I know, but I couldn't make it any longer. There was nothing left to be said. Please review, I hope you liked it.
